OMRI Welcomes New Board Members

(June 12, 2012) OMRI (The Organic Materials Review Institute) announces the appointment of Margaret McGrath, Ph.D.; Jennifer Scott, "Coach" Mark Smallwood, and Jackie von Ruden to the OMRI Board of Directors. OMRI, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the largest materials review organization for the U.S. organic industry. The OMRI Board of Directors is comprised of farmers, processors, organic certifiers, input product suppliers, and public interest representatives. The Organic Trade Association may nominate a representative, and the National Organic Program may nominate an ex officio member.

Margaret "Meg" McGrath holds a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology and conducts research in disease management as an Associate Professor at Cornell University. Her research focuses on Integrated Pest Management and organic practices. Jennifer Scott is the Eastern Representative/Compliance Evaluator for the Centre for Systems Integration (CSI), a division of the Canadian Seed Institute and a certifying body based in Canada. She also participates as a member of the OMRI Canadian Project Committee, OMRI's advisory group working to plan the review program to Canadian standards. "Coach" Mark Smallwood is the Executive Director of the Rodale Institute, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to pioneering organic farming through research and outreach. Coach Smallwood also worked as a consultant for inputs in the home and garden market, and as Chief Operating Officer for Ecoval USA, Inc. Finally, Jackie Von Ruden has been a longtime contributor to OMRI as a member of the OMRI Advisory Council and the OMRI Review Panel for livestock products. Jackie is the Midwest Organic Service Association (MOSA) Farm Certification and Review Manager.

OMRI deeply appreciates these outstanding individuals and their commitment of time and knowledge.

Founded in 1997, the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) provides organic certifiers, growers, manufacturers, and suppliers an independent review of products intended for use in certified organic production, handling, and processing. OMRI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. When companies apply, OMRI reviews their products against the organic standards. Acceptable products are OMRI Listed® and appear on the OMRI Products List. OMRI also provides subscribers and certifiers guidance on the acceptability of various material inputs in general under organic standards.